October 2019
E-Newsletter
Events, Information and Resources from Family Voices of MN
Resources, information and other parents who understand what you are going through
The 8th Annual Connecting Hearts, Raising Voices Benefit is November 15th
Featuring Kevin Kling
5:00 to 8:00 PM | Minnesota Humanities Center, St. Paul

Kevin Kling, playwright and storyteller, has performed all over the world and his commentaries can be heard on NPR’s All things Considered. Kevin has a special appreciation for the work of Family Voices of Minnesota as a person who has personal experience with living with a disability.

Our benefit is raising money to provide support, individual assistance, and information for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs through our CONNECTED Parent-to-Parent program. We are so excited for Kevin's special performance at our benefit this year that will include appetizers, cash bar, silent auction and great music by the duo Quinn and Mayer.

We asked Kevin a few questions in anticipation of his performance:

How did you get started as a storyteller/performer?
I've always been a storyteller and loved language and stories. It also became clear that once you can tell a story about something it doesn't control you any longer. So, stories became a method of coping and thriving in an able-bodied world. I also loved making people laugh as a kid and that has continued into my adulthood.


What can people expect from your performance at the benefit?
Laughter. I think a lot of healing comes from laughing. Also, family stories and stories about working in a community of people with disabilities.

Please join us for this special evening on November 15 th for appetizers, drinks, music and the wonderfully woven stories of Kevin Kling.  

Family Voices CONNECTED program is a free state-wide program where parents can call, text or web-chat with our staff who are all parents of children with disabilities. When a parent contacts us, they will be able to receive information and assistance to help get needed serves and supports including financial, healthcare, educational and community support. Parents also receive emotional support, so they do not feel so alone as well as encouragement and education to speak up for their child and get needed services. 

Thank you for your support!
We Are Virtually Everywhere
Fall Parent Networking & Support Groups

One in Five Minnesota families with children have a child with a disability or chronic health condition. We do not have to feel alone.

And yet we often do! Parent Support Navigators, Jess Randall and Terri Boettcher understand that living in Greater Minnesota presents unique challenges for families and how they connect with one another. With that in mind Terri and Jess are hosting several virtual support groups throughout the Fall.
Tuesday Morning Group
November 12
10:00 - 11:30 AM

Organized by Terri Boettcher, mom to two kiddos with complex health needs. Terri lives in Southern Mn.
Thursday Evening Groups
October 24th | November 21st
7:30 - 9:00 PM

Facilitated by Jess Randall, mom to two kiddos with complex health needs. Jess lives in Northwestern MN.
Wednesday Evening Journaling for Self-Care Groups (Virtual)
October 23rd | November 20th
8:00 - 9:00 PM
Can you carve out a Wednesday evening hour this fall to experience the magic of guided journaling for self-care? Warning, you will get hooked. This group is led by Brenda Hudson, certified journal facilitator and writing teacher. Brenda has been teaching expressive writing for six years and uses journaling as a way of holding sacred space for her own experience as a special needs mom.
Third Thursday In-Person Metro Parent Group
October 17 | November 21st
6:30 - 8:00 PM

Organized by Jamie O'Conner, mom to two kids. Her 8 year old daughter has a rare genetic condition. The vision of this group is to offer a safe and sacred space of sharing the emotional journey of parenting a child who has special health care needs or a disability.
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612-440-1609
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